Mechanical chair



Dec. 18, 1934. P, DALYZE MECHANICAL CHAIR lfiied Nav. 9, 1931 3 Sheets- Sheet l @s mw fm mmm. w.. o v E a w 1 .p Wd M 5 Dec. 1s, 1934. P, DALYZE Y "1,984,397

MECHANI CAL CHAIR Filed Nov. 9, 1931 s sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 18, p..DA| 'YZE MECHANICAL CHAIR Filed Nov. 9, 1931 s sheetssneet 3 INVENTOR Pezeragje.

n BY

Q /pm /WMATTORNd-EYS CII Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNI-TED STATES PATENTV OFFICE 'z claims.'

My invention relates to seats and it has particular relation to a seat provided with means for imparting a plurality of derent types ofvibratory movements, benecial to the occupant of the seat, thereto.

The main objects of my invention are to provide a seat structure capable of simulating the movements of a mother in lulling her child; to provide a seat structure of the above indicated type having the external appearance of a reclining type of arm chair and which may, if desired, be used as a conventional chair; to provide a chair of conventional appearance which is equipped with motor actuated means for imparting a soothing oscillatory motion to the bottom portion thereof; to provide a chair having means for selectively imparting a relatively vigorous and stimulating vertical vibratory motion to the seat portion thereof; ,to provide a chair having motor actuated means for imparting vigorous and vibratory motion thereto or gentle soothing oscillation in accordance with the requirements of the user; to provide in a single relatively inexpensive structure a seat which may be used in the ordinary manner in the home, office, gymnasium or recreation room, hospitals and similar places as an ordinary chair and which may also be employed on occasions for imparting a vigorous vibratory movement to the occupant for purposes of massaging and stimulating the muscles and digestive system of the user and which may also be employed when occasion may require to impart a gentle soothing and restful rhythmic oscillatory motion to the occupant. These and other objects will be apparent from consideration of the accompanying drawings and perusal of the attached specification.

I have observed that in soothing a fretful child, a mother instinctively employs two distinct methods. According to one method she holds the child in her arms or places it upon her knee and shakes it or bounces it up and down with relatively lvigorous movement. Although, perhaps the mother does not realize it, this vigorous up and down movement has the eilect of massaging the muscles and stimulating the internal organs of the child. In many cases this vigorous massaging or vibration brings relief to the child and lulls it to rest. However, if the child is nervous or sleepy or if it is both nervous and sleepy such vigorous treatment is not particularly beneficial. Under such circumstances the mother instinctively resorts to a method involving holding the child in her arms or hands and gently rocking or swaying it back and forth in a rhythmic man- (Cl. 12S-33) ner. This procedure soothes the overwrought nerves of the child and lulls it to rest and sleep when all other efforts fail.

It has been my experience that treatments beneficial to the small child are also benecial to the grown up or adult and that the average individual would respond beneficially to the methods of treatment employed by the mother in soothing her child if -such methods were available. For example, the vigorous vibration employed by the mother in bouncing or trotting her child on her knee would also be beneficial to the adult who has spent a day at work in the oiiice at his desk. Also, when the adult is overwrought and nervous, the gentle swaying movement employed by the mother in rocking her child in her arms would also lull and soothe the adult.

I am aware that seats have heretofore been constructed which were provided with motor means for imparting vigorous vibration thereto. However, such contrivances have been expensive. They of necessity were kept in seclusion and only used a very small part of the time. Also, they did not embodying means for generating the dual type of motion used by a mother to soothe her child.

My invention comprises the provision of a chair which may be used as an ordinary piece of furniture and which is further provided with motor actuated means either for vertically vibrating the seat portion of the chair in a relatively vigorous manner or for oscillating the portion backwards and forwards in a gentle and soothing manner. The movements of the mother in soothing her child are thus substantially duplicated by the chair. a

For a better understanding of the nventlonreference may now be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair or seat embodying improvements constituting the subject-matter of my invention;

2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially upon the line 4 4 of Fig. v3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially upon the line 6 6 o! Fig. 3.

In the form of my invention disclosed in the drawings a chair indicated generally by the numeral 10 is provided with a frame comprising corner uprights 12 which at their lower extremities receive conventional casters 14. rIhe corner posts are interconnected forwardly and rearwardly by horizontal members 18 and transversely by means of members 18 of conventional design. .The upper extremities of the corner posts are also provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending members 20 which have a slightly laterally flared curvature characteristic of the arm portions of easy chairs. The frame work oi the chair as thus described is enclosed by means of a suitable fabric covering 22 which is stretched thereover in conventional manner.

Angle bars 24 disposed to interconnect the upper of the longitudinally extending members 16 support an electric motor 26 having a conventional conductor cable 27, in any convenient manner and this motor is provided with a shaft 28 having a pulley 30 thereupon. A belt 32 or other convenient connection is trained about this pulley and is also trained about a second pulley 34 upon a transversely extending shaft 36. Bearing brackets 38 rotatably support this shaft upon a base board 40, disposed beneath the chair and connected to the lower of the horizontal members 16 and 18. As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,

clutch sleeves 42 and 44 are rotatably secured` upon the shaft 36 and are provided with clutch heads 46 and 48 having clutch teeth 50. It will be observed in Fig. 5 that the sleeve 42 abuts at its outer end against the pulley 34 and is thus held from lateral displacement upon the shaft 36. A pulley 52 integrally formed with the sleeve 42 has a belt 54 trained thereabout and the belt is also trained about a pulley 56 upon the shaft 58 of a conventional speed reducing mechanism 60.

This mechanism as shown in Fig. 3 includes a housing 62 bolted to the base board 40 and provided with bearings 63 for the shaft 58. A worm 64 keyed upon the shaft 58 within the housing 60 meshes with a worm gear 66 keyed upon a shaft 68 extending transversely to the shaft 58 and having bearings formed in the walls of the housing 60. An eccentric 70 provided exteriorly of the housing 60 upon the rear extremity of the shaft 68 has a collar '72 rotatably mounted thereupon and this collar has an integral arm '74 which is pivoted to an intermediate portion of an approximately vertically disposed lever '76, journaled at its lower extremity between brackets '78 bolted to the base board 40.

An approximately laterally extending link 8O is pivoted to the upper extremity of the lever 76 at one end and at the other end is pivoted to a downwardly projecting bracket 82 upon the extremity of one arm 84 of a bell crank lever 86, (best shown in Fig. 4). This lever is pivoted at its apex upon a vertically disposed stud 88 ex tending upwardly through the horizontal flange of an angle bar 90, (Fig. 2), that interconnects the upper of the forwardly and rearwardly extending frame members 16, in advance of the cross bars 24. The remaining arm 92-of the bell crank lever is pivoted to an approximately forwardly and rearwardly extending horizontal link 94 having an upwardly offset rear end 96 which is hinged to a reciprocating chair bottom 98 by means of a pin 100, (shown in Fig. 2) for a gentle forward and rearward reciprocation of said chair bottom.

'I'his bottom includes horizontal side frame members 102 of angle iron best shown in Fig. 3 interconnected by laterally extending cross bars 104 and 106 (Fig. 2). The frame supports the seat body comprising forwardly and rearwardly incase? extending bars supported upon the upper flange 112 of the bars 102 and covered with a fabric or other suitable flexible covering 114 matching the covering 118 of a cushion 118. The cushion has side members 120 and a rigid bot tom member 122 filling the space between the side members. It will be observed in Fig. 2 of the drawings that the .seat cushion 118 with its rigid frame is hinged at its forward extremity between the side bars 102 in such manner that the cushion may be lifted upwardly to permit access to the mechanism of the chair.

The seat structure also includes a tiltable back 124 hinged at 126 along its lower edge to a transversely extending bar 128 which interconnects the side bars 102. Arms 130 are pivoted at their rear extremities to the back 124 and comprise rigid internal bars 132 with padded coverings 134 thereabout. The arms at their forward extremities are provided with downwardly extending brackets 136 having forwardly and downwardly curving leg rest bars 138 pivoted thereupon. Pins 140 pivotally secure the bars 138 to the frame members 104 and a transverse bar 142 interconnects the lower end of the bars 138 and consti- 'tutes a foot rest member.

The back member 124 is adjustably supported in inclined position by means of links 144 which at their rear extremities are interconnected by a transverse bar 146. Notches 14? formed in the lower edges of the bars 144 selectively engage the upper edge of the rear bar 106 interconnecting the bars 102 in desired position of adjustment and the notches 148 are held in engagement with the bar 106 by means of a tension spring 150 connected to a stud 152 upon the side of the back 124 and to an intermediate portion of one of the links 144. A rigid arm 154, secured to one of the links 144 projects forwardly into convenient reach of the occupant of the chair and may be operated for purposes of disengaging notches 148 from the bar 106 to permit the adjustment of the back 124 without the necessity of him leaving his position.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 6, the lower faces of the horizontal flanges 112 on the angle bars 102 of the chair seat frame are provided with concave downwardly facingtrack members 156 that rest upon hardened metallic balls 158 that travel along tracks 160 corresponding to the tracks 156. Pins 162 project inwardly from the vertical anges of forwardly and rearwardly extending angle bars 164 the` lower horizontal flanges 166 of which constitute supports for the ball tracks 160. These pins are disposed adjacent to the extremities of the lower tracks 160 and in a position intermediate of the tracks 156 and 160 and thus constitute limit stops for the balls 158. It will be apparent that the linear displacement of the chair seat in its forward and rearward oscillation is twice as great as the linear displacement of the balls 158. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 6, the upper tracks 156 which travel upon the balls are twice as long as the lower track 160 upon which the balls are adapted to roll.

The bars 164 having the horizontal flanges 166 are supported for vertical vibration upon a mechanism which will now be described in detail. The mechanism comprises an eccentric hub portion .1.68 which is integral with the clutch portion 48 best shown in Fig. 5, upon the shaft 36. This eccentric portion rotatably supports a collar 170 that has a rigid arm 172 shown in Fig. 2 projecting therefrom. The free extremity of the arm lill Lesmo? is pivated to a link 17s also shown in Fig. :which at its upper extremity is secured to a transversely extending shaft 180 mounted in bearing brackets 182 secured to the lower faces of upper forwardly and rearwardly extending bars 16. The shaft 180 is also provided with the rigidly secured relatively short arm 184 which at its free extremity is pivoted to the apex 186 of a'pair of elbow links 188 which diverge downwardly and at their lower extremities are secured to approximately horizontal forwardly and rearwardly extending links 190. Intermediate portions of these links are pivoted at 192 to the intermediate forwardly and rearwardly extending bars 16. The. remaining extremities of the links 190 are pivoted at 194 to the lower extremity of approximately vertical links 196 which at their extremities are pivoted `at 198 to the bars 164.

The clutch heads 46 and 48 which drive the mechanism for forwardly and rearwardly oscillating the chair body or the mechanism for imparting vertical vibration thereto, are connected for rotation with the shaft 36 Vby means of a clutch member 200 having clutch heads 202 and 204 respectively meshing with the clutch heads 46 and 48. This clutch element 200 may be oscillated upon the shaft 36 for purposes of selectively eng-aglng either of the clutch heads 46 or 48 by means of a collar 206 having an arm 208 which is bored loosely to receive a transversely extending bolt 209. Bolt 209 has a bifurcated end 212 within which is pivoted the extremity of one arm 214 of a bell crank lever which at its apex is pivoted on a stud 220. This stud is secured to and projects upwardly from' a bracket 220* mounted upon the base board 40. I'he bell crank lever may be rotated to reciprocate the clutch element 200 by means of a link 222 which is secured pivotally to the lower extremity of a vertically extending shifter lever 224. This lever is pivoted intermediate of its length at 226 to one of the upper forwardly and rearwardly extending bars 16. Above the pivot 226, the lever 224 is provided with a laterally offset portion 228 extending through a slot 230 in a bar 232 ex tending longitudinally of the chair frame. The upper extremity of the bar frictionally engages a plate 234 upon the side of the chair arm portion 20 which thus functions releasably to hold the handle in any desired position of adjustment.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the arm 172 for actuating the vertical links 196 that support the chair bottom is connected by means'of a tension spring 240 to a hook 242 upon the base boards 40. 'I'his spring actuates the lever 172 downwardlyA and thus tends to counterbalance the Weight of the occupant of the chair.L

The operation of the chair is practically selfevident. For ordinary use the cable 27 is merely disconnected from the source of current and the motor 26 and the attendant mechanism stand idle. Under these conditions the chair may be used as an ordinary easy chair and the back 124 may be adjusted to suit the comforts of the user. Assuming that the user of a chair is tired and `wishes a stimulating general massage, he merely plugs the conductor 27 into a suitable outlet for electrical current thus starting the motor 26. The occupant may incline the back 124, to any convenient angle while reclining in the chair, shift the lever 224 to cause the clutch head 204 to engage the clutch head 48. 'Ihe latter element is thus rotated upon the shaft 36 and through the eccentric 168 reciprocates the arm 172 which in turn oscillates the arm 178 and the shaft 180. I'he latter in turn through the arms 182 oscillate the toggle links 188 and the attendant links 190 vertically reciprocate the links 196 which support the side members 164. A vigorous vertical vibratory motion is thus transmitted to the chair bottom and produces a general massaging effect upon the occupant of the chair.. As a result the muscles of the occupant are thoroughly massaged and the internal organs are stimulated. If the occupant of the chair is feeling nervous and desires to be lulled to rest he merely plugs the conductor 27 in the same manner as before to actuate the motor 26. He then shifts the lever 234 to cause the clutch element 200 to engage the clutchelement 46, thus driving the pulley 52 and the attendant belt 54 which actuates the speed reducing mechanism 60. 'I'he shaft 68 carrying the eccentric 70 is thus rotated to oscillate the arm 74 and the attendant link 76. Theiatter link, in turn reciprocates the link 80 and causes the bell crank 86 to oscillate. Oscillation of the bell crank in turn oscillates forwardly and rearwardly extending link 94 which is attached to the lchair bottom at 100 and imparts a slow and rhythmic forward and rearward reciprocation to the chair bottom. It will'be apparent that these movements are substantially simulations of the movements employed Y by a mother of a child in lulling the child to rest. It will be apparent that the structure is comparatively simple and inexpensive in character and that a chair embodying it may function as an ordinary chair inthe home or other desirable place or it may also be used at will either for exeigcising and stimulating or soothingl the occupan Although I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to theseparticular forms but that numerous modiiications may be made therein without departure from the spirit of the inve tion or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chair suitable for use as an ordinary seat and comprising a frame of rectangular cross section having a cover, a movable seat mounted upon the frame, said seat having an adjustable back and motor means concealed within the frame and link means interconnecting the motor and the seat for imparting gentle longitudinal oscillation to the entire seat, said seat and motor being provided with additional linkages for imparting vertical `vibration to the entire seat, and clutch means for connecting the motor selectively to either of said linkages.

2. A seat structure comprising a frame, a seat mounted upon the frame, a motor within the frame, a shaft within the frame adjacent to the motor, a driving connection between the shaft and the motor, a pair of independent clutch elements upon the shaft and an intermediate clutch element for engaging either of the independent clutch element for driving it, means connecting one of the clutch elements to the chair for imparting horizontal, straight-line oscillation thereto and means connected to the other clutch element and interconnecting it with the chair bottom for imparting vertical, straight-line vibration thereto.

3. A conditioning apparatus comprising a frame, a support upon which an individual may recline, guide members upon which the support may osciliate in a horizontal plane, vertical links attached to the guide members. a. motor for oscillating the links in a vertical direction to impart vertical vibration to the entire support and additional means interconnecting the support and the motor for selectively imparting oscillation in a horizontal plane to the entire support.

4. A chair having the appearance of an ordinary domestic chair'and usable as such and comprising a frame o! rectangular cross section having side arms. a seat having a tiltable back disposed in the frame, this lseat being mounted upon horizontal guides ior oscillation, the guides being supported upon vertical links, a motor concealed within the frame, speed reducing means interconnecting the motor and the seat for imparting gentle horizontal oscillation thereto, additional means for connecting the vertical links to the motor for imparting vertical vibration thereto of relatively vigorous character and means for interconnecting either the links or the seat with the motor for purposes of selectively imparting the desired type of movement to the seat.

5. A physical conditioning apparatus comprise ing a support for the human body and means for vigorously vertically vibrating the entire support and additional means for gently horizontally osfcillating the entire support, motor means. means for selectively engaging said motor means to said vibrating means and to said oscillating means. and means easily accessible to an occupant of the apparatus for operating said engaging means to select the desired type of motion of said support.

6. A conditioning apparatus comprising a frame, guide members mounted for vertical oscillation on said frame. a support for a human body mounted for horizontal oscillation on said guide members, means engaging said guide members for imparting vertical oscillation thereto, means engaging said support for imparting horizontal oscillation' thereto, motor means, and means selectively engageable with said motor means and either of said oscillation imparting means for oscillating said support as a whole in either a vertical or a horizontal direction.

7. \A chair resembling an ordinary domestic chair and usable as such, comprising a frame, guides mounted for vertical oscillation on said frame, a seat mounted for horizontal oscillation on said guides and provided with a tiltable back thereon, means engaging said guides for imparting vertical vertical oscillation thereto, means engaging said seat for imparting horizontal oscilla@ tion thereto, a motor, concealed in said chair frame for operating said oscillation imparting means, and means for selectively engaging said motor means to either of said oscillation impartlng means for oscillating said seat as a whole in either a vertical or a horizontal direction.

PETER, DALYZE. 

